Workshops

Completed Workshops

UCSD-UB-UNR NEES Workshop: A User's Perspective on Seismic Testing

September 16 — 17, 2010

This workshop has been designed for researchers and industry members of the earthquake engineering community as prospective users of the University at San Diego (UCSD-NEES), University at Buffalo (UB-NEES) and the University at Reno (UNR-NEES) Equipment sites. It provided a comprehensive overview of the UCSD-NEES UB-NEES and UNR-NEES equipment systems, their operation and testing capabilities. The workshop also included instruction and demonstrations on the applications, performance and operation of the UCSD Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table (LHPOST), UB-NEES twin multi-axis shake tables, the UNR-NEES 4-shake tables, digital and analog controllers, data acquisition systems and instrumentation. Instruction on advanced and innovative testing capabilities, at the sites, including: the UB-NEES Nonstructural Component Simulator (NCS) & Geotechnical Laminar Box, and recently developed research capabilities at UNR-NEES were presented. This workshop provided users with the necessary knowledge to assist them in the development of effective NEESR proposals, experiment design and planning, data handling and archiving. The workshop has been web-cast. Presentation materials are available in PDF format on the workshop website.

Workshop on Calibration Methods Compliant with ISO Standards

April 6 — 7, 2009

This workshop discussed the need for reliable data for major testing laboratories, and mandatory requirements for compliance with ISO standards to assure the portability of the data between countries. Through hands-on training, the workshop demonstrated how ISO 17025:2005 combined with Measurement Uncertainty applicable to data collection equipment (sensors and DAQ) is implemented at NEES @ UCSD. The workshop provided presentation of steps and obstacles to ICC Laboratory accreditation, a description of different methods of calibration accepted by the ISO standards, a demo of calibration methods used at NEES @ UCSD, and samples of different documentation required by the ISO standards and accreditation body.

Reinforced Concrete Wall Modeling: Workshop and Seminar

December 15 — 16, 2006

On December 15, 2006, a successful workshop and seminar was held by NEEA@UCSD to discuss various methods used to conduct a blind prediction of the response of the 7-story building tested at the NEES-UCSD Large Outdoor High Performance Shake Table. The workshop attracted members from 17 of the 21 groups that participated in the blind prediction competition with balanced representation between Structural Engineers, Researchers and Students from Italy, Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, New Zealand and the US.

A seminar that presented the main points discussed in the workshop was held the following day on December 16, 2006. The seminar was well attended by structural engineers from California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Washington and New Zealand. Students from Italy, Germany, Mexico, and the US participated, as well as the international group from the workshop the previous day.

Results of the test program and the different predictive and calibrated analytical methods were presented in the seminar. The seminar highlighted the advantages and limitations of several analytical methods and discussed future directions and research needs in this area. The seminar culminated with a visit to the NEES-UCSD Shake Table, where participants observed the collapse of a reinforced concrete wall that was subjected to the roof motions experienced by the 7-story building.

The Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table is supported in part by the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Engineering Simulation (NEES) program of the National Science Foundation under Award Number CMMI-0927178.